Folding crate.



and has for one of its ob jects MARTIN GOLDSTEIN, 0F KEYSTONE,

,WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGIG'OR 0F ONE-HALF Tt EBENEZEB H. HARPER, OF KEYSTONE, WEST VIRGINIA.

FOLDING CRATE.

To all whom it may "concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN GOLDSTEIN, citizen of the United States, residing at Keystone, 1D. the county of McDowell and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Crates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in folding crates, more particularly to crates employed for transporting fowls or the like, to improve the construction and increase the efficiency and utility of devices of this character.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be folded to occupy a relatively small space when not in use or for the return shipment and'without employing detachable fastening device.

Vith these and other objects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of construction as hereinafter shown and described and then specifically pointed. out in the claim, and in the drawing illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved device in open or operative position; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 33 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an end view of the improved device with the parts in folded or collapsed position.

Corresporuling and like parts are referrtal to in the following (lOStTI'lPllUH and indicated in all the views of the accompanying drawings by the same reference characters.

The improved device may be constructed of any suitable material, but will generally be of wood, and comprises a base or bottom 10 having cleats or ribs ll---l2 extending along its side edges, the outer and inner faces of the ribs being preferably rounded, i as shown.

The improved device further comprises I side members 13 l4 hingedly united at 15- 16 to the cleats 1.l 12 and foldable inwardly, and end-members 17--18 hingcdly united at 19-2O to the bottom it) and likewise foldable inwardly. The side members and the end members are preferably formed of rectangular frames and vertical slats, as shown. but may be constructed in any suitable form to adapt the device to the nature of the contents. The end members extend Specification of Letters Patent. Application flied May 2, 1911.

Patented Sept. 26, 1911. Serial No. 624,667.

between the cleats 11-12 and when folded their outer edges do not extend above the upper faces of the cleats so that the side members 13-l4 are foldable inwardly over the folded end members, as represented in Fig. 1.

The improved device further includes a top, represented as a whole at 21, and will be formed of the same material as the sides and ends, or with spaced slats as shown. At its ends the top 21 is provided with downwardly directed clips 22 which bear over the outer upper edges of the ends 17-18 and limit the outward movement of the same. The top 21 is preferably formed with longitudinal rails 23 spaced apart to increase the strength, and connected to these longitudinal rails at their ends are spring latches 24 which engage the inner faces of the ends 17-48 and firmly hold them from inward movement or against the clips 22. By this means the top 21 is firmly locked in position relative to the end members.

Connected to the sides 13-44 are Lshaped keepers 25 bearing at their upper ends over the sides of the top 21, as shown, the top having pins 26 extending inwardly therefrom over which apertures in the keepers 25 engage when the parts are arranged in their open or distended position, as shown in I igs. 1, 2 and 3.

A suitable door is arranged in the top 21 and consists preferably of two side members 2S pivoted to swing at one end upon one of the slats of the top 21 and connected by shorter slats spaced apart and in alinement with the adjacent slats of the top, as shown in Fig. l. The sides 28 are provided with stops 2.) which engage upon the upper faces of the rails J-l when the door is closed to limit its innard movement. By this means the door is maintained by gravity in closed position. but; may be swung into open position wh u the fowls are to be inserted or removed.

liv ihis means a simply constructed and cllicicnt folding crate or coop is produced which mav be constructed of any required size and any suitable material, and employed for containing any of the various products for which dcviccs of this character are adapted and generally used. When the device is to be stored or shipped back the catches 24, are moved upwardly to release the ends 17-l'8 and enable them to be folded inwardly upon the bottom 10 and the sides then folded inwardly upon the folded ends, and the top located upon the folded sides, as represented in Fig. 4. Thus the crate is collapsible into relatively small space for shipment or storage, and can to quickly restored to open position when required;

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A folding crate including a base, and members and side members hingedly united to the base and foldable over the same, a top I including side members spaced apart and bearing upon the side and end members when open and with pins directed inwardly from its side members, clips carried by the top and engaging over the ends externally and limiting the outward movement thereof, spring latches carried. by the top and engaging the ends internally and preventing inward movement thereof, and keeper s connected to the sides and engaging over the side members of the top and provided with apertures engaging over the pins.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MARTIN GOLDSTEIN [14. 8.]

Witnesses:

HERMAN J. RosENTHAL, CHARLES BUDNECK. 

